Repeating weapon

ABSTRACT

This repeating weapon, of the antitank small arm type, is characterized in that it comprises one or more projectiles each in a field container, these containers being disposed side by side.

United States Patent 1 1 Precoul Nov. 27, 1973 REPEATING WEAPON 2,458,476 1 1949 Lauritsen et a1 89/l.819 x 2,972,933 2/1961 Guthrie et a1..... 89/1.814 [75] Inventor Mchel Premul, Fiance 3,401,597 9/1968 Comte et a1. 89/1.816 x 73 Assigneel Soda: DEtudes De Realisation Et 209,925 11/1878 Rupertus 42/13 DApplications Techniques, Paris,

France Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle [22] 1971 Attorney-Caspar C. Schneider, Jr.

[21] Appl. No.: 193,939

[52] US. Cl. 89/1.816, 42/76 R 51 1111. C1 F41f 3/04 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 42/76, 77, 78;

9/1 1 R, 1.8, 1.816, 1.819, 1.814; 42/13, 1 This repeating weapon, of the antitank small arm type,

R is characterized in that it comprises one or more projectiles each in a field container, these containers [56] References Cited being disposed side by side.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 837,139 11/1906 Smith 42/76 R 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures REPEATING WEAPON This invention relates to weapons and has specific reference to repeating small arms of the type designed for infantry personnel, especially antitank weapons.

For many decades manufacturers of infantry weapons and more particularly of antitank weapons had to find a difficult compromise between the range, light weight, efficiency and cost of such weapons.

For each time and considering the technological means available, compromises estimated to be the most up-to-date were adopted.

However, in the case of antitank weapons and notably of the short-range small (i.e., having a range of 300 feet, or less than 600 feet) light weight seems to constitue the essential parameter. Thus, many weapons based on different techniques, of which some were referred to as proximity weapons, appeared. But, once obtained, these weapons give rise very rapidly to two serious criticisms: a relatively high cost and a disputable efficiency.

As far as price is concerned, it is obvious that none of the elements constituting a complete weapon can be eliminated, even if only a short-range fire is contemplated. Under these conditions, considering its short range, the price of this small arm, i.e., a proximity weapon, is easily and frequently regarded as prohibitive.

As to its efficiency, the essential requirement of light weight, compelling the manufacturer to assign one fraction of the limited permissible mass to the thrower, leads in many cases to sacrificing the ammunition performance (accuracy, end effect).

It is the essential object of the present invention to provide a small arm permitting, notably and antitank infantry equipments, to combine under the best possible conditions the basic requirements of light weight, reduced cost, efficiency and range.

The various features and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description referring more particularly to an infantry small arm. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the structure shown and described herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention since it is given by way of example; thus, many other forms of embodiment, arrangements, applications, etc.. may be contemplated without departing from the basic principle of this invention.

The small arm according to this invention is a repeating weapon adapted to fire two or more shots, in contrast to usual weapons of this character (flat trajectory fire antitank weapon, mortar, etc..) which fire separate shots.

The weapon according to this invention comprises at least two projectiles in a container also constituting the barrel of the weapon when firing; the projectiles are disposed side by side (thus forming a row, a triangle, a square, etc.. according to their number). One of the projectile carries, if necessary, a movable container extension for completing when firing the chase of the throwing barrel consisting in this case of the container proper and of said extension.

According to another feature characterizing this invention the tubular extension is movable and adapted, after each shot, to position itself (automatically or not) in axial alignment with the container of the next shot to be fired.

Under these conditions, the arrangement of this invention comprises:

two or more projectiles in a container, the various containers being assembled according to'the hon- 5 eycomb pattern,

a single (preferably short) tubular extension adapted, before firing each shot, to position itself in axial alignment with the projectile in the corresponding container.

Therefore, the arrangement according to the present invention eliminates substantially the weapon proper (reduced to a simple tubular-extension, plus the necessary members for aiming, handle, striker, etc..).

In the whole, this system is extremely efficient and permits of assigning to the ammunition (and therefore to theaend effect and accuracy) nearly'the total mass available.

Of course, the adequate use of modern techniques (mechanical and electrical engineering, simple or complex plastic materials, etc..) makes it possible, in a system of this character, even in the case of a repeating weapon capable of firing two, three or four shots, to remain within the limits normally set for the mass of a portable small arm, for instance.

The repeating weapon according to this invention is attended by another substantial advantage. In fact, by virtue of the arrangement broadly set forth hereinabove, it is possible, with this weapon, to repeat (at least once and even more if permitted by the mass contemplated) the previously fired shot.

Consequently, the efficiency of the weapon is increased considerably. This of course applies to all weapons and notably to a mortar constructed according to the principle of this invention, inasmuch as the 35 aiming and ranging are already acquired through the first shot. However, in the case of an antitank weapon and especially in a short-range one, the immediate repetition of the shot, once or several times, constitutes an extremely valuable advantage of the weapon according 0 to this inventon.

In fact, in the case of short range weapons, the end of the fight depends in nearly all cases on thefirst shot or fire. Obviously, a first fire comprising two or three shots is considerably more efficient than a first fire involving only one shot, due inter alia to the possibility of correcting or on the contrary confirming a good result, etc..

These advantages concerning light weight (maximum use of mass) and efficiency are completed by the relatively low cost of the repeating weapon according to this invention.

In fact, the component elements of the small arm, namely the single tubular extension, firing accessories such as aiming, eyepiece, belt, handle, striker, generator, etc.. serve not only one shot but two, three or more, thus affording a considerably economy. Therefore, this weapon, even if it constitures a proximit weapon designed for very short range firing, cannot be criticized for high cost.

Referring to the drawing, FIGS. 1 to 4 thereof illustrate diagrammatically a two-shot repeating small arm constructed according the the teachings of this invention. As already pointed out in the foregoing, this form of embodiment is given by way of example only since weapons designed for firing three shots or more may be constructed without departing from the basic principle of the invention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an end view of the weapon as seen from the rear end thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the weapon, with the ammunition shown in phantom view therein;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is an end view of the weapon as seen from the front end thereof.

The two-shot small arm according to this invention, in this specific form of embodiment, comprises two rockets l, 2 in containers 1', 2' disposed side by side along a common longitudinal generatrix 8.

The tubular movable extension 3 constitutes the chase of rocket 1 and is coaxial (axis X-X') to the container l of said rocket 1. After this rocket 1 has been fired, the movable tubular extension 3 is moved to position 3, in alignment with the other container 2' of rocket 2, i.e., along the axis Y-Y'. This lateral movement for example about an axis 8' may take place automatically or not (see arrow j). The pivot axis 8' may lie, without departing from this invention, either on the contact or tanget generatrix of the pair of containers 1 and 2', or outside this generatrix.

The two-shot weapon according to this invention comprises a single set of accessories; a handle 4 (adapted to be rotated to position 4), a shoulder-piece 5, a folding foresight 7, an aiming cross-hair 6, etc..

Therefore, the overall length of the weapon in field use is L L L (L being the length of the rocket containers, L the length of the movable tubular extension 3).

It would not constitue a departure from the frame of this invention to combine the rotational movement of said tubular extension with a telescopic movement, or other movement, in order to reduce the length of the assembly for transport purposes.

This extension may also be pivoted to a shaft extending at right angles to the rocket axis so that it can be rotated to its operative position in axial alignement with the rocket.

Of course, in the manufacture of the complete assembly (weapon and ammunition) modern synthetic materials (plastics, preferably resin and glass fibres) are used preferably to a considerable extent.

I claim:

1. A small and light repeating infantry weapon for self-propelled projectiles comprising two parallel cylindrical projectile containers, each adapted to receive a self-propelled projectile and to serve as a barrel for the projection of the projectile contained therein, in combination with a single barrel extension and means for rotatqbly mounting said extension on an axis through the point of tangency of said projectile containers with its longitudinal axis parallel to said projectile containers so that said barrel extension may be rotated about said axis into coaxial alignment with either of said projectile containers.

2. The weapon claimed in claim 1 in which the barrels are made of plastic.

- mg? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORECTION Patent No, 3,774,499 Dated November 27, 1973 I Inventor) Michel Precoul It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading, the following should appear:

Claims priority of French application No. 70 39365/70,

filed in France November 2, 1970.

In the specification:

Col. 1, line 14, after "small" insert arTns Col. 2, line 57, "constitures" should read constitutes Col. 4, line 22, "rotatqbly" should read rota1:ably'---.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April l97h.

(SEAL) Attsst:

EDWARD M.FLETGiER,JR, C. MARSHALL DANN Attssting Officer Commissioner of Patents mg? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F Patent No, 3,774,499 Dated November 27, 1973 lnve og) Michel Precoul It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading, the following should appear:

Claims priority of French application No, 70 39365/70,

filed in France November 2, 1970.

In the specification:

Col. 1, line 14, after "small" insert arins Col, 2, line 57, "constitures" should read constitutes Col. 4,1ine 22, "rotatqbly" should read rotacably Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April 197).

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.,FLETGHER,JR, C, MARSHALL DANN Attssting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A small and light repeating infantry weapon for selfpropelled projectiles comprising two parallel cylindrical projectile containers, each adapted to receive a self-propelled projectile and to serve as a barrel for the projection of the projectile contained therein, in combination with a single barrel extension and means for rotatqbly mounting said extension on an axis through the point of tangency of said projectile containers with its longitudinal axis parallel to said projectile containers so that said barrel extension may be rotated about said axis into coaxial alignment with either of said projectile containers.
 2. The weapon claimed in claim 1 in which the barrels are made of plastic. 